Anonymous Follis c. 1030 - 1042

Curator: This bronze piece, held here at the Harvard Art Museums, is known as an Anonymous Follis. Editor: It feels weighty, like a tangible link to Byzantine social history. The wear and tear speak volumes. Curator: The imagery is quite striking. On one side, a depiction of Christ Pantocrator, an iconic representation of Christ as ruler of all. Editor: And the reverse displays a cross potent on steps, flanked by inscriptions. Given the religious symbols, who were the intended users? Curator: That’s the beauty of it, its anonymity implies broad circulation and acceptance. It connects social class and the political influence of religion. Editor: It’s fascinating how such a small object can encapsulate complex historical and cultural narratives. Curator: Absolutely, a testament to how carefully-chosen symbols shape belief and identity even today. Editor: It urges us to ask: Whose stories are told, whose are absent, and how might we challenge those power structures?